# US 10,441,030 B2 · Article of footwear with decoupled upper > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,441,030 B2 - Document ID: US10441030B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/819,785 - Filed: 2015-08-06 - Published: 2016-01-21 - Granted: 2019-10-15 - Earliest claimed: 2011-02-04 - Assignees: NIKE, Inc. - Applicants: NIKE, Inc. - Inventors: Bryan N. Farris; Olivier Henrichot; Jeffrey C. Pisciotta - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10441030B2 ## CPC - A43B 13/28: characterised by their attachment, also attachment of combined soles and heels - A43B 3/26: adjustable as to length or size - A43B 7/14: with foot-supporting parts - A43B 13/12: Soles with several layers of different materials - A43B 13/125: {characterised by the midsole or middle layer} - A43B 13/141: {with a part of the sole being flexible, e.g. permitting articulation or torsion} - A43B 13/42: Filling materials located between the insole and outer sole; Stiffening materials - A43B 23/0245: {characterised by the constructive form} - A43B 23/026: {Laminated layers} - A43B 23/0265: {having different properties in different directions} - A43C 5/00: Eyelets (machines for setting eyelets A43D100/00) - A43B 7/1495: {with arch-supports of the bracelet type} - A43B: CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR - A43C: FASTENINGS OR ATTACHMENTS OF FOOTWEAR; LACES IN GENERAL ## Abstract An article of footwear including a connecting member is disclosed. The connecting member provides partial decoupling between the upper and the sole structure. The connecting member can include an upper layer and a lower layer that are attached at a central attachment portion. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An article of footwear, comprising: a longitudinal direction extending along a major axis of the article of footwear and a lateral direction extending along a minor axis of the article of footwear; an upper and a sole structure; a connecting member comprising an upper portion, a lower portion and a sidewall extending between an upper periphery and a lower periphery of the connecting member; the upper portion connecting to the upper and the lower portion connecting to the sole structure; the lower portion having a plurality of markings, wherein the plurality of markings generally extend along the longitudinal direction and are spaced inward from the lower periphery of the connecting member; wherein the plurality of markings are configured to identify an attachment region between the lower portion of the connecting member and the sole structure at locations spaced inward from the lower periphery of the connecting member; wherein the lower portion of the connecting member is attached to the sole structure along a first pair of markings of the plurality of markings and unconnected to the sole structure in the lateral direction at locations between the lower periphery of the connecting member to each marking of the first pair of markings, wherein a top surface of the sole structure is exposed between the lower portion of the connecting member and each marking of the first pair of markings to partially decouple the lower portion of the connecting member from the sole structure; and wherein the sole structure extends continuously from an outer medial edge of the article of footwear to an outer lateral edge of the article of footwear. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of markings comprise a plurality of lines. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The article of footwear according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of lines are straight lines. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The article of footwear according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of lines are curved lines. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The article of footwear according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of lines are formed using pigment. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The article of footwear according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of lines are etched into the lower portion. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The article of footwear according to claim 2, wherein the connecting member is substantially compressible. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the sidewall has a tapered height, such that the sidewall has a first height in a midfoot region and the sidewall has a second height in a heel region, wherein the first height is greater than the second height. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein a width of the attachment region varies along the longitudinal direction of the connecting member. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The article of footwear according to claim 9, wherein the attachment region has a first width in a midfoot region of the connecting member and the attachment region has a second width in a heel region of the connecting member, wherein the second width is greater than the first width. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the upper has a first width in a non-deformed state and a second width in a deformed state, wherein the second width is greater than the first width. ### Claim 12 An article of footwear, comprising: a longitudinal direction extending along a major axis of the article of footwear and a lateral direction extending along a minor axis of the article of footwear; a heel region, a midfoot region and a forefoot region; an upper and a sole structure; a connecting member comprising an upper portion, a lower portion and a sidewall extending between an upper periphery and a lower periphery of the connecting member, wherein the sidewall has a tapered height, such that the sidewall has a first height in the midfoot region and the sidewall has a second height in the heel region, wherein the first height is greater than the second height; the upper portion connecting to the upper and the lower portion connecting to the sole structure, wherein the lower portion includes a plurality of markings, wherein the plurality of markings generally extend along the longitudinal direction and are spaced inward from the lower periphery of the connecting member, wherein the plurality of markings are configured to identify an attachment region between the lower portion and the sole structure at locations spaced inward from the lower periphery of the connecting member, wherein the lower portion of the connecting member is attached to the sole structure along a first pair of markings of the plurality of markings and unconnected to the sole structure in the lateral direction between the lower periphery of the connecting member to each marking of the first pair of markings, wherein a top surface of the sole structure is exposed between the lower portion of the connecting member and each marking of the first pair of markings to partially decouple the lower portion of the connecting member from the sole structure, and wherein the sole structure extends continuously from an outer medial edge of the article of footwear to an outer lateral edge of the article of footwear. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The article of footwear according to claim 12, wherein the plurality of markings comprise a plurality of lines. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The article of footwear according to claim 13, wherein the plurality of lines are straight lines. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The article of footwear according to claim 13, wherein the plurality of lines are curved lines. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The article of footwear according to claim 12, wherein a width of the attachment region varies along the longitudinal direction of the connecting member. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The article of footwear according to claim 12, wherein the upper has a first width in a non-deformed state and a second width in a deformed state, wherein the second width is greater than the first width. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein when the lower portion of the connecting member moves away from the sole structure, a continuous, externally exposed open space is defined between: one of the markings of the first pair of markings, an outer edge of the lower portion of the connecting member, and an outer edge of the sole structure.